EasyTouch4 to IntelliCenter Upgrade Questions

[Flipp]

I figured I would try to see if anyone sees this to hopefully answer my question.

I have this same style of easy touch panel with scg breaker. Is this still the way I would have to install the intellicenter upgrade or have they made anything different to more easily upgrade? Thanks. Flipp

 

[guinness]

The following post might be of interest to you. BTW, the title says ET8 but your signature states ET4.

My foray from an EasyTouch8 to IntelliCenter

So I've been following the IntelliCenter upgrade and advanced automation threads started by @MyAZPool (Ron), and have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade my Pentair ET8 system that was installed during the original pool build in 2006. My goal is primarily to take advantage of some of...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Flipp]

The following post might be of interest to you. BTW, the title says ET8 but your signature states ET4.

My foray from an EasyTouch8 to IntelliCenter

So I've been following the IntelliCenter upgrade and advanced automation threads started by @MyAZPool (Ron), and have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade my Pentair ET8 system that was installed during the original pool build in 2006. My goal is primarily to take advantage of some of...

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you. That was the original post I commented on but it was moved to a new thread via an admin I assume. So yes I read the following thread that you posted and then asked this question. I do have the et4.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Flip,

A good place to shop when things get back in stock.

IntelliCenter Upgrade Kits

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Flipp]

Flip,

A good place to shop when things get back in stock.

IntelliCenter Upgrade Kits

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you Jim R. I will give that a look
Flipp

 

[tclayton10]

Thank you. That was the original post I commented on but it was moved to a new thread via an admin I assume. So yes I read the following thread that you posted and then asked this question. I do have the et4.

Hi Flipp, that was my post, and to my knowledge, my process still applies because of the location of the SCG bracket in the "older" load center chassis. If you have reasonable hardware/mechanical DIY skills, removing the SCG bracket is simple. But you definitely need to understand basic electrical circuit and wiring concepts, especially with regards to working inside an electrical panel as the voltages that are present can be lethal. I took a ton of photos, studied the posts from @MyAZPool, and then made my own diagram.

Since I completed my upgrade I have added some of the more advanced components that complement/duplicate features of the IntelliCenter system, most notably the addition of an inside control panel that runs off of Raspberry Pi. That was by far the hardest thing to get working consistently, but even that was not terribly difficult and there are some amazing resources available to help you with that if you decide to go that far.

I'm gonna be out of town for a few days, but will try to keep up with this thread if you have any other questions.

Tracy

 

[Flipp]

Hey Tracy,
That write up was fantastic by the way! I have reasonable mechanical DIY skills however some of the wiring/electrical skills are not up to par. I will cut off the bracket myself (by the way, what specific tool did you use, or would you suggest using in this case, I was thinking of using a small electric grinder??) I would be able to drill and mount the new SCG surge board to back wall as well. As for the wiring and new programming of the intellicenter, I will probably call someone more inclined than I to do that part.

The Raspberry PI would be awesome but at this time I will not be going that route, but maybe sometime in the future that could be a possibility or plan. If you have any other suggestions, photos or things you wish you would have known hindsight please feel free to share as I'm sure I won't be able to get the new board for some time. Thanks
-Flipp

 

[tclayton10]

Hey Tracy,
That write up was fantastic by the way! I have reasonable mechanical DIY skills however some of the wiring/electrical skills are not up to par. I will cut off the bracket myself (by the way, what specific tool did you use, or would you suggest using in this case, I was thinking of using a small electric grinder??) I would be able to drill and mount the new SCG surge board to back wall as well. As for the wiring and new programming of the intellicenter, I will probably call someone more inclined than I to do that part.

The Raspberry PI would be awesome but at this time I will not be going that route, but maybe sometime in the future that could be a possibility or plan. If you have any other suggestions, photos or things you wish you would have known hindsight please feel free to share as I'm sure I won't be able to get the new board for some time. Thanks
-Flipp

Sorry for the late reply Flipp. I used a Dremel-style tool with a cutoff wheel. Took less than 5 minutes to do it cleanly, and then used a rasp to clean up the sharp edges. Good luck!